EWC Code
Solid waste from gas treatment
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
2.1 million tonnes/year EU zinc processing residues
Valorisation Range
€310M secondary zinc and dross market
Primary Route
Direct zinc smelter recycling
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Get contacts for EWC 10 05 05EWC 10 05 05 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 05 — Wastes from zinc thermal metallurgy. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Zinc thermal metallurgy generates hard zinc, dross, ash and flue dust as primary waste streams. Hot-dip galvanising produces zinc dross (bottom dross and top dross) containing 92–98% zinc, making it one of the most economically valuable waste streams in the sector. Hard zinc from galvanising pots typically contains 96–98% zinc with iron and lead impurities and is directly recyclable back to zinc smelters.
Flue dust from zinc smelting is classified hazardous (10 05 03*) due to cadmium content concentrated during pyrometallurgical processing. Waelz kiln technology is the dominant route for treating zinc-bearing residues, producing crude zinc oxide (Waelz oxide) containing 55–65% Zn that feeds into zinc refinery.
EU zinc demand is approximately 1.5 million tonnes/year with recycling providing 30% of supply. High-grade dross from galvanising can achieve end-of-waste status under national EoW criteria, allowing direct return to smelter without waste documentation.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 05 05, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Hard zinc and high-grade dross are returned directly to zinc smelters as secondary feed material. Bottom dross from hot-dip galvanising (95%+ Zn) commands near-metal price and is accepted without pre-processing. Top dross with higher oxide content requires briquetting before smelter acceptance.
Mixed zinc-bearing residues including flue dust and contaminated dross are processed in Waelz kilns, producing crude zinc oxide for zinc refinery feed. Process simultaneously removes cadmium and lead as higher-volatility metals into fume fraction.
Residues failing metal recovery economics are stabilised to meet WAC and disposed to hazardous landfill. Cadmium-bearing fractions require treatment to <5 mg/kg leachate before acceptance. Long-term monitored containment cell required for cadmium-rich wastes.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 05 05. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Reprocess zinc dross and flue dust to recover metallic zinc and zinc oxide
Process Waelz oxide into zinc oxide for rubber and chemicals industry
Sort and grade zinc-bearing waste streams for appropriate recovery route
Use zinc dross from galvanising lines for zinc alloy production in foundry applications
Sectors that valorise EWC 10 05 05 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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